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Friday, May 29, 2015

After creating whimsy girl postcards for the last month or so I was itching to do something different. I learned a lot from doing those post cards and I hope to be able to share that someday soon (maybe a video??) But for today I am sharing a piece I created for my 12x12 loose page file folder journal. The background was already collaged which just left me free to paint.

I always thought purple was hard to photograph but this Phthalo Turquoise proved equally difficult!

I can't wait to see what it looks like after it dries for a day or so and I give it a coat of varnish.

Assorted collage and tissue papers as well as texture pastes that I doodled into while it was wet.

I also can't miss the opportunity to remind you about sign ups for the classes being offered at Community Thrive. My Soul Food class from 2014 is being offered for $35. I take you step by step through how I create a mixed media background, draw a whimsy girl face, collage with antique music papers, draw and paint angel wings, draw a whimsy bird AND how to make it look like it is an antique fresco painting. Some of the feedback I received after my 2014 workshop is that it made things "click". Here is what we will create together:

Sunday, May 24, 2015

I was going through my loose 12 x12 file folder journal yesterday morning looking for a collaged piece to start a painting on. I came across two paintings I wasn't crazy about and decided to pull those out to try to rework them if I could.

I always did love the background (the underlying textures you can't really see in this pic) and the colors. I wasn't happy about a few things compositionally, namely how the horizon line (or tabletop) is right at the lip of the bubble bowl. Also the flower arrangement itself didn't appeal to me. This is where it stands so far:

It may still go through more evolution's but I am happier with it now.

Saturday, May 16, 2015

I was very inspired by a piece of mail art I received from Sandy Leamon Derryberry that was created on corrugate. Mystele inspired me in this years Soul Food 2015 with cardboard as well. I've always loved working on cardboard and couldn't wait to give it another go!

I started with 2 coats of black DecoArt gesso on a recycled piece of cardboard from a recently purchased coffee pot:

I exposed some of the ribby bits for added texture . I originally sketched my girl in with a white China marker

Here I had added some Gelli Arts prints. They've been glued down on just the print side leaving the backs raw so after the glue (or gel medium) has dried I'd be able to mist them with water and remove the paper pulp:(you can see a video of how I do that here)

Pretty cool looking, huh? I love that hit and miss look!

And here's when I start really getting in to the whole process and stop taking pics! It's never intentional, quite the opposite. I just get lost in the process. But I did get a few with the background completed before I jumped off the deep end, lol.

I end up totally obscurring those orange leaf shapes but it it was fun adding them and I think I will be using them again in future projects. Now we jump to finished (or at least I think finished at this point).

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Hey guys!! I can't wait to tell you about all the new arty endeavors being offered over at Community Thrive!!!

I get asked all the time how I draw my girls, or hear comments, I wish I could draw like you. My Soul Food 2014 class Make A Joyful Noise is being offered in UThrive as an elective.

In it I show how anyone who can draw a simple rectangle can with practice, draw whimsical faces just like me. Registration begins June 1st for a mere $35. You will have full access for three months. It includes all original materials and videos are downloadable. But the face is just a portion of what you will learn. You will also see how I create my backgrounds as well as how to age a piece to make it look vintage.

Thrive is broken down into semesters so make sure to check out the other offers as well as the opportunity to be mentored!

Friday, May 1, 2015

Yea, not a recipe for diabetics like myself but I still enjoy baking. Of course I will have to taste it as soon as it cools off but judging by my daughter and grandsons reaction when they licked the beaters it will be a new family fav. Here's what you need:

A box of chocolate cake mix

2 sticks of softened butter (1 for each layer and do NOT substitute with margarine)

Yes, my cuisinart is ancient but it was a gift from my dad ages ago. Now just crush up the cookie part after separating. Keep the insides. If you don't have a cuisinart just put them in a ziplock and crush them with the bottom of a saucepan. Now spread the crumbs over the cake in bottom of pan. RESERVE A COUPLE HAND FULLS TO SPRINKLE ON TOP OF CHEESECAKE LAYER

Oh my goodness, it's baking right now and it smells amazing!!

Ok, now take the mixing bowl with the cookie creams and add the cream cheese, remaining stick of butter, 2 eggs and vanilla. Beat until creamy.

Now fold in the raspberries

Pour this mixture over the chocolate cake with cookie crumbs

And then sprinkle with the remaining cookie crumbs

Now bake at 350 for 50 minutes to 1 hour. Check after 40 minutes. You don't want to over cook. Insert a toothpick and it is done when the tooth pick comes out clean. Let cool completely and Voila!!

Seriously?? I haven't posted in two weeks? I am always (well not ALWAYS, but a LOT) posting on Instagram (IG). It is so easy to quickly take a pic, write a few words and upload all at once to IG, Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. So if you are interested follow the link in my sidebar and follow me there.

Today I have a review/demo video to share of the new Uni-Ball BLX pens. I really like them and I think you will too!!

And stay tuned for tomorrow when I share a cake recipe. Yep! You heard me, a cake!! My house smells so good right now I can hardly stand it!!

About Me

Just a girl coloring her world one day at a time. Each day is a different blank page, card or canvas waiting to get inky, collaged, drawn on, doodled on, stenciled, .... you get the idea. Art supplies make me happy. Come on, let's make something pretty =0)